I had the opportunity to discuss the crisis with officials in Tashkent, as well as representatives of the UN agencies and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), who are the global first responders for these types of crises. The United States has also committed over $6.5 million to provide immediate humanitarian response and stabilization assistance and is prepared to make more resources available. Thus far, the international response has been strong, but it is clear there is much more to be done.

This morning I, along with Assistant Secretary Posner and U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Richard Norland, had a sobering encounter with refugees near Andijan, a city in Uzbekistan's densely populated Ferghana Valley near the Kyrgyz border. The stories we heard were of atrocities that have no place in our 21st century world, a sobering reminder that ethnic differences can be exploited to horrific ends.

Nevertheless, in the midst of this crisis, one can also find a great deal of humanity. I was greatly impressed by the many stories of generosity as ordinary citizens offered assistance to the refugees. I want to commend the Government of Uzbekistan for reacting swiftly and constructively to receive more than 110,000 refugees and provide them with food, water, shelter, and medical care. Our official visit to Uzbekistan involved consultations with the government, civil society, and multilateral partners. This humanitarian crisis has greatly highlighted the need for close collaboration among those different parties in Uzbekistan.

Comments

Comments

Pablo C.

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Chile

June 23, 2010

Pablo C. in Chile writes:

Cleary there's a necessity to organize, specially for the close future, a military task force (Russia, USA, UE, NATO?)to face such humanitarian emergencies in the region, cause it won't be the last crisis we will have there. Caspian region, specially the "istans" are one of the most probably future "war region" in the world

Pamela G.

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West Virginia, USA

June 24, 2010

Pamela G. in West Virginia writes:

The atrocities these countries have had to endure are not congruent with life in the 21st century. It is wonderful to hear that so many people are trying hard to help those in need and heal the rift between the countries.